Jamie Ding's remarkable 31-game winning streak on Jeopardy! came to a close during the April 27 episode, as challenger Greg Shahade secured a runaway victory before Final Jeopardy.
The decisive moment came with the last clue of Double Jeopardy, in the category "The Shape of Things." Host Ken Jennings read: "Home to private residences and hotels, the manmade archipelago seen here in Dubai is built in the shape of one of these." Ding answered "palm leaf" instead of the correct "palm tree," losing $400 and entering Final Jeopardy with $16,000 against Shahade's $32,600. Shahade, a chess champion, went on to win.
Ding signed off in Final Jeopardy by writing "TTFN" (ta ta for now). Over his streak, which began with his March 13 debut, the 33-year-old New Jersey bureaucrat amassed $882,605, placing him fifth among Jeopardy!'s all-time top earners.
Reflecting on his loss, Ding told People, "My last game is unusual, because I was a super champ, but I also lost in a runaway, which I feel like is the first time that ever happened. It almost makes me feel better about the thing because there wasn't really one clue or whatever that everything hinged on."
His family expressed surprise at his success. His father, Yuchuan Ding, admitted to The Detroit News, "We know he knows a lot, but not this much." His sister Jessie added that she originally worried he would "crash and burn" on national TV.
Ding will return for the next Tournament of Champions. He credited his family: "My family are absolute heroes. I would not be where I am today without their unconditional love and support."
Ken Jennings still holds the record for consecutive wins with 74, followed by Amy Schneider (40), Matt Amodio (38), and James Holzhauer (32).